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ATLANTA -- John Rocker returned to a standing ovation
Tuesday night, pitching a scoreless ninth inning in his first regular-season game
since rejoining the Atlanta Braves after a two-week suspension.
The crowd of 34,903 gave Rocker a big cheer when the reliever
sprinted in from the bullpen. One fan held up a sign that read:
"Rocker for President."
|  | | John Rocker's patented sprint from the bullpen jazzed the Atlanta crowd. |
Rocker struck out the first hitter he faced, Philadelphia's
Mickey Morandini, walked the next batter and then got two flyouts.
Rocker left with the score tied at 3. When he exited after his
one-inning outing, many of the fans left Turner Field, too.
The Braves eventually won 4-3 in 12 innings.
"It's all out of the way," said Braves outfielder Brian
Jordan, one of the reliever's harshest critics initially.
"Rocker's back. Hopefully, things will quiet down a little bit and
we can get back to baseball."
Perhaps hoping to avoid another misstep, Rocker continued his
policy of refusing to speak to the media about the controversy.
"Beat it, media," he barked at reporters who surrounded his
locker after the game. "Are you deaf?"
There was hardly a hint of protest before the game, with Rocker
hoping fans remember his fastball more than his comments about
minorities, gays and immigrants. Overall, it seemed just like
another nondescript, midweek contest for a lot more reporters.
Rocker said he heard only one negative remark while traveling
with the Braves last weekend in Milwaukee.
"It's not a big deal," Rocker told TBS for an interview that
aired before the game. TBS is owned by the same company that owns the Braves.
"I think when the team starts winning and
we get the ball rolling, all that will be forgotten."
His teammates made peace with the reliever during spring
training and he had already pitched in Atlanta during an April 1
exhibition game.
"Before the season, I was thinking about this night the whole
time," catcher Eddie Perez said. "But once the season started, I
didn't remember anything about it until you guys brought it up."
Most fans arriving at the ballpark on a cool, windy night were
ready to welcome the reliever back.
"There's not one person walking who hasn't opened his mouth and
said something he regrets," said Sandra Seagraves, munching on a
snack in the picnic area beyond the center-field stands. "He
picked the wrong time to say the wrong thing. Unfortunately, he got
crucified for it."
Her husband, Charles, added, "I'm going to stand up and cheer
like crazy when he comes in."
But Larry Lee of New Orleans, in town for a convention, said he
wouldn't cheer for Rocker.
"Personally, I'm not going to cheer for someone who seems to be
a heck of a lot more prejudiced than he's letting on to be," said
Lee, who is black. "I wasn't a big fan of him before and I'm
certainly not now."
The Braves are putting Rocker right back into his familiar
role as closer. A year ago, he had 38 saves -- one short of the
franchise record -- and his absence was felt as Atlanta split its
first 12 games.
The bullpen went 1-4 with a 5.14 ERA and two blown saves while
Rocker was suspended. Former closer Kerry Ligtenberg, coming back
from a serious elbow injury, struggled with a 10.13 ERA.
"The thing we really missed was having him in the game," Perez
said. "That's what I've been thinking about since the season
began."
Phillies first baseman Rico Brogna wasn't looking forward to the
prospect of facing Rocker in the ninth inning.
"I'm not thinking about all that stuff that happened over the
winter," Brogna said. "He's a very good pitcher. He adds another
dimension to their team. He makes it that much more difficult for
us."
Some Atlanta-area civil rights groups protested at Turner Field
during the offseason and urged the Braves to trade Rocker. But they
decided not to picket Tuesday, saying they will probably raise the
issue again when the Braves play host to the All-Star Game on July
11.
General manager John Schuerholz admitted having "serious"
trade talks concerning Rocker before the season but said those
discussions "died down."
"I'm past all my dreaded days," Schuerholz said. "It's a
baseball game. He's a baseball player who made inappropriate,
insensitive comments four months ago. Most adults are willing to
let it go." The Braves were beginning a nine-game homestand,
easing the transition for Rocker. The team's next road trip begins
April 28 in San Diego.
The harshest reactions are most likely to come in New York,
where Atlanta meets the Mets in a four-game series beginning June
29.
Already, photocopied fliers have been passed out at Shea Stadium
advertising "John Rocker Battery Day" for Atlanta's first series
in New York, where fans are still outraged by the pitcher's
infamous interview.
"Imagine having to take the 7 train to (Shea Stadium) looking
like you're (in) Beirut next to some kid with purple hair, next to
some queer with AIDS, right next to some dude who got out of jail
for the fourth time, right next to some 20-year-old mom with four
kids," Rocker told the magazine.
He also said, "The biggest thing I don't like about New York
are the foreigners. I'm not a very big fan of foreigners. You can
walk an entire block in Times Square and not hear anybody speaking
English. .... How the hell did they get into this country?" | |
ALSO SEE
Rocker returns; Braves win on Hunter pinch HR
Fans willing to give Rocker another chance
AUDIO/VIDEO
 Bobby Cox was pleased with Rocker's performance.
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RealAudio: 14.4 | 28.8 | 56.6
Pitching coach Leo Mazzone comments on Rocker's play.
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Chipper Jones was surprised by the fans reaction.
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RealAudio: 14.4 | 28.8 | 56.6
Either way, Javy Lopez just wants Rocker to do his job on the field.
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RealAudio: 14.4 | 28.8 | 56.6
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